BREAKING NEWS!! Museveni Orders Massive Sacking Of Over 152 Uganda Civil Aviation Staffs Over Corruption

A wave of panic has gripped the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) following President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to immediately dismiss 152 staff members. The order, issued amid mounting allegations of corruption and inefficiency, has sent shockwaves through the institution and triggered widespread debate across government agencies.

In a strongly worded letter dated June 25, 2025, addressed to Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, President Museveni expressed outrage over what he described as “massive corruption” within UCAA. He specifically cited the recruitment of unqualified personnel as a key factor contributing to operational failures at Entebbe International Airport.

One incident that reportedly provoked the President’s ire was the temporary entrapment of Maama Maria Nyerere—the widow of former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere—in a malfunctioning airport elevator. Museveni labeled the mishap a national embarrassment and pointed to it as evidence of deeper institutional rot.

Subsequent investigations allegedly uncovered that 152 staff had been hired without meeting proper qualifications. The President has called not only for their dismissal but also for the individuals responsible for their recruitment to be held accountable.

However, the directive has sparked internal dissent. Sources within UCAA, the Ministry of Works, and security organs such as the Internal Security Organization (ISO) suggest the President may not have received a complete or unbiased report. Some believe the corruption claims may have been exaggerated—or even weaponized—for internal power plays.

At the center of the storm is Sabah Ahmed Kakooza, UCAA’s Director of Human Resource and Administration. Confidential sources allege that Kakooza has long sought to remove experienced staff, some of whom have served since UCAA’s inception in 1994 after being transferred from the Ministry of Works.

Critics claim Kakooza orchestrated an “academic audit” to scrutinize the qualifications of these veteran employees—an audit they say was merely a smokescreen to replace them with her own allies and relatives.

One of the most controversial hires under her watch is Saidi Ahmed, a relative who had previously failed ISO security vetting. Despite a 2023 ISO blacklist that flagged him and others as security risks, Saidi was reportedly hired in July 2024 as a Plant & Technician with a Shs 2 million monthly salary. Notably, his duties included maintaining the very lift in which Maama Nyerere got trapped—fueling suspicions of possible negligence or worse.

This revelation has raised alarms over the integrity of hiring processes at the airport—Uganda’s primary international gateway. Security analysts warn that the recruitment of unvetted individuals into sensitive positions could pose a grave threat to national security.

Top UCAA officials are said to have clashed privately with Kakooza over her staffing decisions, though many fear retaliation if they speak out publicly. There are now growing calls for a thorough, independent investigation before any dismissals take effect. Some are urging intervention from ISO, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and Minister Katumba to ensure the full truth is known.

As the controversy deepens, a crucial question hangs over the saga: Did President Museveni act on the full facts—or is the corruption narrative being used to mask personal agendas?

For now, the UCAA remains engulfed in uncertainty, and the spotlight on Entebbe International Airport is only growing brighter. The outcome of this unfolding drama could have lasting implications not just for UCAA but for the broader fight against corruption and mismanagement in Uganda’s public institutions.